Monday, December 16, 2013

The importance of interactivity

The Importance Of Interactivity

Interactivity is the way in which a magazine allows interactions between the magazine and the fans and people who buy the magazine as well as the artists and bands that are being features inside. Interactivity has allowed magazines to develop and progress over the last few years as it has been a vital part of advertisement. 
      Magazine have developed due to different a furthering in interactivity and each of the different magazines having their own website published for the fans and reader online. By having a website this offers a chance for the magazine to share their information on the internet and will increase the interactivity between the magazine itself and the readers. Technology now a days also allows users to download links to music, comment on sections where readers can talk to each other and allowing reader to submit their own review easily by having a review page on the website of the magazine. As well as the fact that fans and readers can interact with the artists in the magazine through stream videos and online interviews. 
       Social media websites are another way in which magazines interact with the readers. Each of the magazines often have social media websites linked on their websites as well as on their front covers, such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. These are websites that allow fans and followers to interact with different artists and bands that are in the magazine as well as being able to keep up to date with information about the magazine itself. Many of these websites posts new songs as well as photos from gigs and people can repost them and save them.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Photos to use in the double page spread

Images for contents page

Photos I am using for contents page

 


I decided that I would use two photos taken from a concert to add to my contents page as it adds diversity into my music magazine.


The use of the image from the concert primarily the one with the guitar emphasises the rock element of my magazine. 
 
 
Clearly I needed to add in a photo of my model so that the audience know who the feature article in the magazine is about.
 

 
This image is cute and would attract a younger generation audience which highlighting my audience is from the age of 14 therefore this would attract them. 
 

 
This image I also chosen is appropriate as it looks like a rock character and adds a element of rock and roll.

 
This image is also appropriate to use in the contents page as it looks a rock photograph as well as the checks and the boots make it look more rock style.

 
This is a head shot image which I haven't used a lot of so I felt it was appropriate to add one into my contents page.

Photos I am using for front cover


This is the image i have decided to use for my front cover. This image represents what the main feature article in the magazine is going to be based on. I think that the image is suitable for the front cover as she is looking directly into the camera which attracts the audience attention and makes them feel involved. 

 
I also decided to add this image on the front cover as it is a typical convention of magazine front covers, and it also highlights that i have diverse ranges of ages throughout the magazine, so that the audience knows there is more content in the magazine.


This image is also used on the front cover as it attracts boys if there is boys on the front cover and it shows diversity throughout the magazine.


This single image of Ashley is also used on the front cover to add more images on the front cover.

Monday, December 2, 2013

Photos I am not using- Part two


This image is also not suitable because the model was just messing on and wasnt ready for the photograph to be taken.


This is another image that isnt the most appropriate for my front cover as the angle in which the image is taken. The model isnt looking at the camera either therefore the image isnt appropriate.


This image is also inappropriate for the front cover image as the model also wasnt ready for the photograph to be taken.

Photos I am not using- Part one


 
These are some of the photographs i took that are not possible to use for my front cover. This image is blurry especially the foot therefore it is not possible to use. The body shape also dosent compliment the backdrop.


This image is also not suitable to be used for my front cover as the hands are also blurry and the image of the face isnt focused on the camera.


This image is also not suitable for my front cover magazine or any of the other sections to my magazine and the model wasnt ready for the image to be taken.

 

The next step

Once i had completed my location choice i then needed to take my photos at the selected locations. Once i had took the photos i then had to choose and select the photos that would be appropriate to use for my front cover. As well as the photos that would be appropriate for my contents page and double page article.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Naomi wolf's theory

In my magazine, I will be using a girl on my front cover, as well as referencing her on my double-page spread. They are represented as sexually attractive women which is constantly used to attract my target audience of teenage girls between 14-25 as well as the sexual aspects when attracting to my secondary target audience of 14-25 males. This will attract them to my magazine.

Naomi Wolf, the American feminist (1991) says that images of attractive women are often used to help sell products to other women. She means that women have been conditioned into aspiring to be like what is fashionable now, by a male dominating society.

By using attractive women in my magazine I will be exploiting her theory that an attractive model is used to sell a product leading women to think if they buy the product, they will look like the model. Her book 'The Beauty Myth' also includes all the elements to his theory.






Thursday, November 21, 2013

Models permission

I decided that i would ask all of my models for permission to use photos of them on my music magazine.


Fourth podcast- face-to-face recording

Chosen locations for photographs

These are the three locations i have decided to use for my rock photographs as i think that all three locations correlate with the genre of my music magazine. 
 
 
This location is perfect for close up shots of my model.


This location would be appropriate for medium long shots of my model.

 
This location would be great for long and full body shots.

Possible locations

 This was the first location i consider taking photgraphs for my music magazine. I then decided against using this location as i think that their is to much going on in the background of the photo which would draw to much attention away from the main feature model.
 This was the second location i consider taking my photographs at. The imagery was beautiful primarily the back drop however i think that for my music magazine especially with the genre of rock a more rough and edgy background would be more appropriately used.
 This location was also greatly possible for being the background for my rock magazine photographs, however once again the background was to calm and peaceful for my rock photographs so this background location isnt suitable. 
 This location was more appropiately chosen for my rock moagazine photographs as this location correlates with the theme of rock more so than the others as it contain graffiti which is often associated with the likes of rock therefore this would be an appropriate chose for my photographs.



This location may also be suitable for my photographs as it also has quite a rock feeling about it.

Proposal form

This is the proposal form i created for my music magazine. This discussed and includes everything i want to do throughout my music magazine.
 

Third podcast

First draft of feature article

Upcoming rock sensation, Darcey Reed, tells L O U D on her plans for worldwide domination. From Geordie girl to rock chick, Darcey began her dream to super stardom as a simple, ordinary girl. Sitting at the back of the classroom, minding her own business, until one very special teacher spotted her talent and her dreams became a reality. To be big and famous is all any teenager can dream about growing up and Darcey’s dream came true. Here, I get an exclusive interview with her to ask all the questions we all want to know.
 
How long have you known you wanted to be a singer?
Well I’ve always loved singing and I’ve always done it from being young, like singing around the house and stuff. My mam used to always tell me to be quiet because it’s all I ever done. I never shut up!
So has your mum always supported your career?
 
Ah yes, definitely, she’s always loved my voice, I think even if I was the worst singer in the world she would still support me no matter what I decided to do, but the fact that I chose signing, she loved it even more.
So how did it happen, how did you get discovered?
 
Well it was pretty normal really; it was at school and in one of my music classes when we were rehearsing for a show and my music teacher, Mrs Craske always used to say I should enter the school talent show.
So, did you enter the talent show?
 
Yes, after about two years of her trying to convince I eventually entered the show.
Okay, so we know you entered the talent show but what happened after that, how did you become a superstar?
 
Well, it was a weird situation really, I had taken guitar lesson at school and I had really learnt how to play it properly and I felt comfortable playing with it. So I decided that I would chose a song where I could play my guitar, I felt more comfortable with the guitar in my hands. Then there was talent agent I the audience and…

And…
And they thought I had talent just like Mrs Craske did, and well they asked if I would go for a meeting with their music company, and I said yes. I was a little nervous at first but my mum and Mrs Craske were so encouraging.
What did they have to say in the meeting?
 
Well they just said I had rare talent and that my talent was too good to go unseen. They offered me a record deal straight away and wouldn’t let me leave the room until I signed it.
So is the contract signed, sealed and delivered?
 
Yes, I’m contracted to work with the company, Music United, for at least five years.
And I hear they’re helping you with your world wide tour?
 
Yes, they’re really encouraging me to add more tour dates and everything, there all for a ‘Ultimate worldwide take over’
So where exactly is this world wide taking you around the world?
 
Well everywhere really, I think we’ve hit somewhere in every country. We’re going everywhere from Japan to America. It’s so exciting, I can’t believe i’m actually travelling around the world. Who would have thought it, little old me, travelling the world.
Wow, that’s amazing, so where are you most excited to go to?
 
Well i’m really looking foward to going around America, i’ve never been anywhere near there so i’m really looking foward to the journey there and back.

So is everybody really supportive of the tour?
Yes, they’re really encouraging me to add more tour dates and everything, there all for a ‘Ultimate worldwide take over.’
So, the questions everybody wants to know, who would be your favourite person to collaborate with?
 
Well they’re loads of artists i would love to work with, it’s so hard to choose just one. I would really really love to work with a band. I think that the atmosphere would be so great.
And another question from one of our readers, is there any boys on the scene?
 
No, not at the minute, I want to focus on my music and get my career sorted and into action first.
So what’s your favourite thing to wear on a day to day basis?
 
Well im quite a casual person, I like to wear dresses most of the time, and style them with different jackets, coats and cardigans. And I normally wear some sort of colour with my outfit. Like I like to wear a headband or coloured bracletr.
Okay, quick fire questions, favourite band?
 
Kings Of Leon
Favourite song?
 
Ah that’s a tough one, i think i’d have to say Mr Brightside by The Killers.
Okay and finally where to you hope to be in the future?
 
A superstar.

Well it’s been lovely speaking to you Darcey and I wish you all the luck in the world.

Aw, thank you I really appreciate it.
 

Flat plans for double page article

 

Flat plans for contents page


Flat plans for front cover


Second podcast

Uses and Gratificfation

Thursday, November 14, 2013

IPC Media- Part two

The 1800s
• The company formed in 1853 and within a year the company became the largest newspaper in Europe, containing 24 pages. It had its own representation throughout the Crimean War. 
The 1920s
• Odhams launched a monthly home in opposition to Newnes' Homes and Gardens. The first editor of the new addition advocated against "the erection of hideous houses which go to mar the beauty of what would under any other circumstances be the most ideal and beautiful environment," this was contrasting the governments promise to build 100,000 houses as part of post-war planning.   
The 1940s
• IPC's woman's weeklies played a role throughout the war. There duty was to keep to morale of Britian's women and also supplying essential information for the government.   
The 1960s
• Life for magazine staff would never be the same again following the 1963 formation of the International Publishing Corporation, bringing together the three rival magazine companies, Newnes, Fleetway and Odhams Press. Traditional competitors found themselves all working for the same parent company - Ideal Home and Homes & Gardens, Woman and Woman's Own, to name but a few.
The 1980s
• IPC announces the formation of European Magazines Ltd., a joint venture company with Groupe Marie Claire to launch the UK edition of the international title Marie Claire in 1988.
The 2000s
• New millennium, new name - IPC Magazines is renamed IPC Media in 2000, a new identity to go hand-in-hand with a strategy based on being a brand-centric business.
The 2010s
• In January 2010, IPC Media restructured around three key audience groups: men, mass-market women and up-market women.
 

Monday, November 11, 2013

The Bauer company- Part one

Four generations of the Bauer Verlagsgruppe family have managed this company. The company began as a a small printing house, and the publishing group went worldwide and became a media company. The Bauer company created 300 magazines in 15 different countries, as well as being published as TV and radio stations. The company started in the UK with its first beginning of the Bella magazine in 1987. Bauer expanded in the UK and became the UK's biggest publishing
group with the purchase of Emap Consumer Media and Emap Radio in 2008.

Bella- In 1987 Bella was H Bauer's first publishing in the UK. Bella magazine make a massive impact in the UK magazine market by mixing classic elements with real life editorial which makes the magazine more associated with fashion and beauty, cookery and practical home features.

Take a break and that's life- In 1990, H Bauer gained attention for Take a break magazine. The magazine accumulated over one million sales. Up until 2005 only three women were dedicated to delivering true life editorial. Take a break has retained its head postition in the marketing industry and expanded to seven magazines all fighting for the top spot in the market.

TV listings titles- In the year of 1991, H Bauer's first launch the publishing of TVQuick magazine. TVQuick stopped publishing in July 2010. In 1999 H Bauer launched TVChoice at a lower price for the market.


My reader profile

This is the reader profile I created for my music magazine.



Throughout researching different styles and genres of music magazine reader profile I created this reader profile on what stereotypically I think readers of my magazine would enjoy. My reader profile shows the stereotypical characteristics of the readers that would associate with my music magazine.

Reader profile inspiration


I took inspiration from the magazine 'UNCUT' reader profiles. Throughout researching the different styles and genres of reader profiles I found that this particular magazines reader profiles correlated with what I wanted to portray through my music magazine.



 

 


First podcast and face-to-face recording

Monday, November 4, 2013

My second questionnaire results analysis

Once I received my results for the first questionnaire i decided to hand out my questionnaire to the same 50 people with the same age range. I discovered that the most popular name title for my front cover was 'LOUD' therefore i would use this for my magazine title. 
I also discovered that the three most popular colours were red, black and white therefore i would use this colour scheme throughout the magazine.
The final question determined that Rockwell would be the font used throughout the magazine. 

 

My second questionnaire results

 
 
Second questionnaire results
 

Thursday, October 24, 2013

My second questionnaire


Please write or circle your answer.

 
1)What title would you prefer to see on a music front cover?       Noise       

 Loud         Core        Pulse        Sound        Beat

 2)What colours would tend to attract you to a music magazine?       Red     

 Pink       Yellow      Black       Orange      Green       White       Blue

 3)What style of font do you tend to see on music magazines?       

 Century Gothic(Loud)      Arial(Loud)        Broadway(Loud)        Franklin

 Gothic demi(Loud)       Rockwell(Loud)           Gill Sans MT Ext Conde(Loud)

My questionnaire results analysis

Originally i presented and handed out my questionnaire to 50 people around the school which range from the age of 11-18 as well as including teachers. Through doing this i developed a good idea of what my audience would like to see throughout my music magazine.
The first question on my closed questionnaire showed how mostly females filled out my questionnaire.
The second question was on age and showed how the age range for my questionnaire was diverse but generally 18-19 year olds filled in the questionnaire more.
The third question developed more about my music magazine and it highlighted how most people who filled in my questionnaire generally favouritised to the Rock genre.
Question four show how most people buy music magazines.
The fifth question shows that there is a diverse range of ways people listen to music.
The sixth question shows how my target audience generally buy music so i could consider using online artists for my magazine.
All of the artists of question seven are diversly distributed so i could consider using each artist throughout my magazine.
My magazine would be published monthly as question eight backs this up.
Question nine is also evenly distributed however who is on the cover makes a difference if my audience buys a magazine.
The tenth question also highlights that my audience wants new artist primarily throughout my magazine.
The final question shows how my audience would generally buy a magazine between £1-£3.
 
I will now go on to create a second questionnaire to determine what titles, colours and fonts i will include in my magazine.

Questionnaire results

Questionnaire results

Monday, October 14, 2013

First questionnaire


Please write or circle your answer.

 

 1)Gender:      Male     Female
 
 2)Age:            14-15     16-17    18-19    20-21    22+

 3)Favourite genre of music:   Pop      Rock    Indie    Dance   metal    R&B   other

 4)Do you usually buy music magazine?     Yes       No

 5)How do you generally listen to music?     Radio     TV     Computer    Cd     IPod       

 Telephone     MP3 Player

 6)Do you buy music magazines?    Yes      No

 7)Who are your favourite music artists? ___________________________________________________________________________

 8)How often are you willing to buy music magazines?      Daily      Weekly   

 Fortnightly       Monthly

 9)What do you find the most important selling point of a magazine?      

 Freebies     Who’s on the cover      Loyalty        Brand       Feature article

 10)What would you like to see included in a music magazine?        New artists      

 Gossip      Free Downloads      Music reviews     Photo shoots       Competitions 

 11)What colours attract you to magazines?(Please tick three)

 Pink     Red    Black     Orange     Purple      White     Grey       Yellow

 12)What’s the maximum price you would pay for a magazine?

 Less than £1      £1.01-£2.00     £2.01-£3.00       £3.01+   

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Marjorie Ferguson's theory

Marjorie Ferguson in 1980 established the four types of facial expression in the cover photos of British woman's magazines.
 
Chocolate Box: Chocolate is a half or full-smile, lips together or slightly parted, teeth barely visible, full or three quarter face to the camera. Projected mood: warm bath warmth, where uniformity of features in their smooth perfection is devoid of uniqueness or of individuality.
 
 
Invitational: Invitational is the emphasis is on the eyes. The mouth is shut with only a hint of a smile (teeth barely showing at times), head to one side slightly. The mood is suggestive of mischief or mystery, the hint of contact potential rather than sexual promise.


Romantic or sexual: The projected moods are possibly 'available' and definitely 'available'. Often clothing is limited or props are used. Dreamy, heavy-lidded and unsmiling. Overtly sensual or sexual.
 
Super smiler: This is of a full face with a wide open smile with teeth visible. Looking happy and giving off a good vibe. The Head is forward and the chin is back. Hair is often wind blown and suggests 'Look at me' approach.
 

My music magazine pitch

Magazine Pitch
Our next task was to create our own magazine our own music magazine and we have to design a pitch that will correlate with the typical conventions of a music magazine today. Through researching the different genres of music magazine covers, contents pages and magazine article i now have a full understanding of the traditonal conventions of a music magazine as well as the features that are included in typical magazines today. I decided that my magazine front cover would consist of a high quality photo with the subtitles included down each side of the cover. As well as continuing the typical conventions throughout my contents page and my double page spread. In order to create each of these aspects of my magazine i will use Adobe Photoshop to edit my magazine to a high quality.
  -Genre: Rock/pop
  -Primary Target Audience: Young females aged between 14-25
  -Secondary Target Audience: Young males ages between 14-25 as well as older females 26+